Car-coupling



(No Model.)

S. J. MEBKBR.

GAR GDUPLING.

Patented Feb. 23, 1892.

z'fzessesff UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE;

STEPHEN J MEEKER, OF NEV'ARK, NET JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE SMILLIE COUPLER AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NEV JERSEY.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 469,32*?, datedFebruary 23, 1892` Application filed September ll, 1891. Serial No. 405,362. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN J. MEEKER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful a specification..

jerked from its opening in the draw-head of My invention relates more particularly to the coupler-operating mechanism, consisting of the several parts usually employed for operating the locking pin or bolt of the coupler from a point at the exterior of the carto raise the same from engagement with the rotating hook or knuckle and allow the latter to open and disconnect the cars.

The object of my present invention is to provide a simple and positive means for preventing the locking pin or bolt from being the coupler by a too sudden upward movement of the same when raised by its operating-lever or be otherwise withdrawn there` from. This object l accomplish by the combination of the several parts, as will hereinafter be set forth in detail, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l represents a section of a car with acoupler and itsoperating mechanism (constructed according to my invention) supported thereon, showing the locking pin or bolt in its normal raised position when elevated by its operative mechanism; Fig. 2, a front view of the same; and Fig. Sha detail view of a section'of the locking pin and its connecting operating parts, showing the relation of the same when the locking-pin is raised or jerked upward to its limit.

To explain in detail, a represents a section of a car and h a car-coupler, b the locking pin or bar supported in a vertically-arranged opening in the draw-head of the coupler and adapted to engage with the rotating hook or knuckle h2 to lock the same in a closed position when connected with another coupler and be raised from engagementv therewith to allow the knuckle to open and disengage with the counecting-coupler in a manner well understood 5o by those skilled in the art.

The locking pin or bolt h is adapted to be operated in the present instance illustrated by means of a horizontally-arranged lever c,

supported in suitable bearings on the face of The upper4 6o necessary for the proper operation of the several parts and to allow the pin bto move vertically, or nearly so, and prevent its binding against the sides of its opening in the drawhead of the coupler, as will obviously appear.

Now it has been found in practice that the 7o' locking-pin, if raised or thrown up quickly, is apt to be jerked from its position in the draw-head by reason of the free movement of parts allowed by the loose connection between the locking-pin and its operating-lever, as described, or the upper end of the locking-pin when in a raised position, as shown in Figs. l and 2, may be moved forward and drawn from its said opening in the draw-head by any person, if so disposed; and to :prevent any 8o such accident I have provided said lockingpin with a lug or projection h4, located at the side thereof and adjacent to its upper end, as clearly shown, which is adapted to engage Withrthe rear side of the link d when the locking-pin is raised to its limit, as shown in Fig. 3, and act as a lock to prevent the latter from being moved forward and withdrawn from its said opening in the coupler, as will be readily understood.

Having thus set forth my inventioml do not wish to be understood as conning myself to the use of the horizontally-arranged lever c as a means for operating its connecting arm or lever c', as it is obvious that the 95 latter maybe pivotally supported at its inner end in suitable bearings on the car and be operated bya rod or chain connected therewith Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I-Iaving thus set forth 1ny invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States` isl. In a car-coupler, the combination, with the locking pin or bolt provided With a slotted end, and a lifting apparatus for said lock.

ing-pin, consisting of a lever pivotally supported on the face of the car or part thereof and connected with the slotted end of said i looking-pin through the medium of a link, of

means for engaging said link to limit its forward or outward movement, substantially as described, and for the purpose'set forth.

2. In a car-coupler, the combination, with the locking pin or bolt provided with a slotted head, of an operating-lever pivotally supported on the face of the car or part thereof and connected with the slotted head of said locking pin or bolt through the medium of a link, and a lug or projection located on said locking pin or bolt adjacent to its upper end for engaging with said link, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

STEPHEN J. MEEKER. Witnesses:

CHAs. F. DANE, ANNIE L. HAYES. 

